Connecting With KIDZ

I am Early Childhood Education Consultant, with a masters in early childhood education and more than 10 years of experience using American Sign Language in early childhood classrooms to promote communication skills, language, reading and literacy development with children ages 3-8 years of age. As an avid ASL advocate, I am dedicated to bringing a better understanding to parents, educators and children the value of visual education early in life and how ASL can act as a bridge to more meaningful communication at home, at school and in the community. My goal is to share the gift of sign language by providing classes, videos and other educational resources to parents, teachers, home school educators and childcare providers that are easy to use and incorporate into any early learning curriculum. I have discovered that American Sign Language (ASL) is not just for pre-verbal children and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is a wonderful strategy to support literacy in an elementary classroom. In my classes I use key word signing which utilizes the vocabulary of ASL to help children learn to spell, expand their developing vocabulary, strengthen their reading skills and increase their social/emotional development.

I am a passionate early childhood advocate who brings a blended teaching style to my classroom. My style includes integrating technology into my early childhood curriculum which provides innovative tools to enhance student learning; using cooperative learning structures that allow children to work together, thus maximizing the level of participation and finally, incorporating differentiated instruction allows me to tailor learning experiences to meet the individual needs of students in the classroom. Allowing children to select activities based on areas of interest is great way to differentiate. Offering choices is an excellent motivator for children. Small-group work is one of the most effective ways to meet the needs of diverse learners in large class settings. My ultimate goal as an education specialist is promoting the social, emotional and academic growth of early childhood learners.

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M.Ed Early Childhood Education, with focus on early childhood literacy. Certified Early Childhood Educator, Baby Signs Institute Certified Instructor and Preschool-Kindergarten Time 2 Sign (ASL) Certified Instructor.

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